Suarez- guilty as charged

[TJC1 10]

Doesnt add up to me. I reckon Suarez is one of the last players to be using racism on the pitch. The fact that Luis Suarez has a black grandfather, has many black friends from the Ajax team and Uruguay teams, seems to have escaped peoples judgement!

 

Not the kind of guy to be going around using racial abuse is it.

[Lockjaw 11]

Here's the club's official statement.

 

.

 

Liverpool Football Club is very surprised and disappointed with the decision of the Football Association Commission to find Luis Suarez guilty of the charges against him.

 

 

 

 

We look forward to the publication of the Commission's Judgment. We will study the detailed reasons of the Commission once they become available, but reserve our right to appeal or take any other course of action we feel appropriate with regards to this situation.

 

We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.

 

The Club takes extremely seriously the fight against all forms of discrimination and has a long and successful track record in work relating to anti-racist activity and social inclusion. We remain committed to this ideal and equality for all, irrespective of a person's background.

 

LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable - without compromise. It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations.

 

It is key to note that Patrice Evra himself in his written statement in this case said 'I don't think that Luis Suarez is racist'. The FA in their opening remarks accepted that Luis Suarez was not racist.

 

Luis himself is of a mixed race family background as his grandfather was black. He has been personally involved since the 2010 World Cup in a charitable project which uses sport to encourage solidarity amongst people of different backgrounds with the central theme that the colour of a person's skin does not matter; they can all play together as a team.

 

He has played with black players and mixed with their families whilst with the Uruguay national side and was Captain at Ajax Amsterdam of a team with a proud multi-cultural profile, many of whom became good friends.

 

It seems incredible to us that a player of mixed heritage should be accused and found guilty in the way he has based on the evidence presented. We do not recognise the way in which Luis Suarez has been characterised.

 

It appears to us that the FA were determined to bring charges against Luis Suarez, even before interviewing him at the beginning of November. Nothing we have heard in the course of the hearing has changed our view that Luis Suarez is innocent of the charges brought against him and we will provide Luis with whatever support he now needs to clear his name.

 

We would also like to know when the FA intend to charge Patrice Evra with making abusive remarks to an opponent after he admitted himself in his evidence to insulting Luis Suarez in Spanish in the most objectionable of terms. Luis, to his credit, actually told the FA he had not heard the insult.

 

[MAC33 10]

''than his prior unfounded accusations''----- Could Liverpool FC could be held accountable for slander?

 

 

 

There is so much in Liverpool's statement that can be picked apart, but ED will focus on just a few bits:

 

"It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations."

 

This is a disgrace. The mention of "prior unfounded accusations" refers to two other cases in which claims of racial abuse against Evra have been made.

 

To paraphrase - Evra plays the race card.

 

The thing is, on neither occasion did Evra make the accusation. In 2006, a deaf fan claimed to lip-read abuse of Evra by Steve Finnan, and in 2008 United coaches Mike Phelan and Richard Hartis said they heard a Chelsea groundsman insult Evra.

 

Neither claim was proven. And neither claim was made by Evra. This point is outlined in this excellent blog post (yes, it's a United blog, but it makes a very good point).

 

For Liverpool to themselves make a false claim about Evra is lamentable.

[plekhanov 10]

"We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play - including Evra's own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials - heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.

...

LFC considers racism in any form to be unacceptable - without compromise. It is our strong held belief, having gone over the facts of the case, that Luis Suarez did not commit any racist act. It is also our opinion that the accusation by this particular player was not credible - certainly no more credible than his prior unfounded accusations."

Do they really not see that you can't (logically at least) continue to accuse Evra of making this up when much of the defence of Suarez has been been on the grounds that *****/negrito isn't a derogatory term in Uruguay?

[mh01 10]

I don't. I really hope John Terry is not a racist, nor do I wish that any sort of racism is in football.

 

If it turns out that that he is guilty, then by all means, give them a similar punishment, but to want him to be found guilty is ludicrous.

 

 

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id rather john terry wasnt a racist but if he's found guilty then i hope he gets a similar sentence as suarez

[MC Spyda 10]

Whether Suarez is actually racist or nor is neither here nor there, it makes no difference. He can be racist covertly all he wants. It's what is actually said that matters.

 

Being ethnic yourself or having friends/team mates that are ethnic is not an excuse and shouldn't even be considered in determining what words are suitable.

 

Ok ***** may not be derogatory in Uruguay. But can someone explain why someones colour would need to be mentioned on the pitch in the first place regardless of the argument?

[Fudbeer 12]

I can't believe what I am hearing what I am from the media and Liverpool football club.

On the one hand they go hand over fist to promote anti racism in football with the kick racism out of football campaign among other things but then when racism is proved they want it to go unpunished.

 

Suarez was found guilty of insulting another player with a refrence to the colour of his skin uhh so if thats not rascist what is!!!!!!!!!

Edited December 21, 2011 by Fudbeer

[TJC1 10]

Whether Suarez is actually racist or nor is neither here nor there, it makes no difference. He can be racist covertly all he wants. It's what is actually said that matters.

 

Being ethnic yourself or having friends/team mates that are ethnic is not an excuse and shouldn't even be considered in determining what words are suitable.

 

Ok ***** may not be derogatory in Uruguay. But can someone explain why someones colour would need to be mentioned on the pitch in the first place regardless of the argument?

 

It wasnt '*****'. It was 'negrito' which is a term of endearment in Uruguay. Look this is the country that call a black national team player (Parreira) 'monkey' openly. Its not racist, just a cultural thing unless were saying EVERYONE in Uruguay is racist. No intent.

 

Evra just got the wrong end of the stick, thought it was something else, hence putting in a complaint of racism without knowing the full facts.

 

Plus there is no suggestion there was an argument. He said it 10 or 11 times apparently during the course of the match, which Suarez admitted to.

 

Storm in a teacup if you ask me. I feel sorry for the Liverpool player and his family.

[JFKvsNixon 11]

Do they really not see that you can't (logically at least) continue to accuse Evra of making this up when much of the defence of Suarez has been been on the grounds that *****/negrito isn't a derogatory term in Uruguay?

 

I thought this myself. I believe that relying upon their contradictory defence that Suarez comes from a culture where casual racism is more acceptable, whist simultaneously trying to insinuate that Evra was a liar was always a risky one, and in this countries culture he was always going to be hammered.

 

If Suarez had come out straight away and said he meant no harm, and apologised for any harm caused by his actions all this would have blown over.

[HeadingNorth 11]

Suarez was found guilty of insulting another player with a refrence to the colour of his skin uhh so if thats not rascist what is!!!!!!!!!

 

That would be; but the word Suarez used is not an insult in English, and not an insult in the country where it actually is a word.

 

So what has he said that was insulting?

[TJC1 10]

Such an oddly lenient ban too. 8 matches. Rio Ferdinand misses a drugs test cos he was out shopping and gets 8 months!

 

If it was really racial abuse it would be a year ban, a short prison sentence (like potentially Terry) possibly more (sacked?).

 

I get the feeling this went on so long the F.A had to be seen to act, to do something, and make an example out of Suarez.

[MC Spyda 10]

What does 'negrito' actually mean then? I must have got the wrong end of the stick.